Late-night hold-up at Qawra hotel

A routine night shift for a receptionist and a night duty manager at a hotel in Qawra turned into a nightmare yesterday when they became victims of a hold-up.

The two thieves, who were hooded and armed with pistols, made off with just over Lm600 but did not harm the men.

A member of the hotel's management said it was just before 1 a.m., when the reception area was deserted except for the two employees, that the two hooded men walked briskly into the hotel and made straight for the employees, pointing their firearms menacingly at them and demanding to be given the money in the cash register.

One of the employees was forced to face the wall while the other was ordered to open the cash register and hand over the money. One of the thieves then grabbed the drawer containing the money and then fled.

The hotel is situated in Andrew Cunningham Street, an ordinarily quiet area parallel to the main road in Qawra.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti has appointed various court experts to help in an inquiry.

Qawra district police and officers from the Criminal Investigations Department are investigating.